Hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan: What does it tell you?

The Doc said (tongue in cheek) either you have no gall bladder or there is a blockage preventing the test fluid from entering. I said but I have no pain, what now. His response was "do nothing". I am not satisfied with this response. He said if you have another attack call me.
I am thinking second opinion. I would like to know other opinions, if any. Maybe do nothing is the right answer. Is there further testing that might be more revealing?

@jfperrone, I have no experience with the HIDA scan, so I had to go to the link that Colleen sent to you. I think that I would also be dissatisfied if my doctor gave me a response like your doctor gave you. There are many times when a "do nothing" approach is the way to go, however, it is usually accompanied by an explanation or discussion of the possiblities.

Who ordered this scan? PCP or a Gastroenterologist?

Gastro ordered the scan.

@jfperrone - I did some research on congenital absent gallbladder. It is rare, but does exist and one could get symptoms of gall stone attack.
I think it can only be diagnosed through surgery and direct observation. May be a question for the gastroenterologist?

Would the HIDA test be appropriate to detect problems in a fatty liver? Doctors have not been able to determine if I have any metastasis in my liver from previous small bowel Carcinoid cancer as scans have been unable to penetrate my fatty liver. Thanks for your insight into my dilemma.

I haven't had it yet. I looked it up on the internet but after I have it I can say more.

@donnacarp, do you have questions that you'd like to ask others as you prepare for the HIDA scan?

I am interested to hear anyones information about the HIDA. I had a trip to the ER after an ultrasound the previous day at a radiology freestanding place which showed an enlarged gallbladder without any stones. I was in agonizing pain at that time but I went to the ER the following day and another ultrasound was done and a CT. Also a bunch of lab. Again, an enlarged gallbladder without stones, my liver did show a number of cysts. All the lab was normal except for the Lipase which was elevated. All my organs seen on the ultrasound were normal. The attending physician who signed off on my visit prescribed Augmentin for one week. He is a bariatric surgeon. After the 2 day bout of excruciating pain, I have had no other symptoms, no nausea, no reflux and no radiating back pain that I had had previously. I cancelled the appointment with the bariatric surgeon which was a follow-up and I also cancelled the HIDA. The HIDA was ordered by a GI doc with whom I had made an appt but he made me really mad when he started acting like a big shot arrogant kid on the phone and what was he going to do anyway? ( I knew I was going to be paying his NYC office rent) More and more diagnosis which I may need. I have had so many traumatic events over recent years that I just can't do any more and so many surgeries and breaking down physically that I want to wait until I know that I know I need more. ( 2 children have died, both parents, 2 husbands of long marriages, my home burned, I can go on... then there were fractures and body breakages ) I believe when you have had all you can stand and it is all you can stand then that's enough. I'll talk to my primary care doc when I see her this next week. She diagnosed my pain in the first place and sent me for an ultrasound. The last thing I want to do is head into a hospital for something. I have already lost everything and I am all I have left. I sure don't need to be getting Covid. I'll wait a bit and take it one day at a time.

Hello @donnacarp,

While I don't want to put words in your mouth (or thoughts in your mind), it sounds as if you have experienced a lot of losses and perhaps these experiences are coloring your plans about addressing your health issues.

I'm wondering, putting the physical problems aside, have you met with a trained psychologist to discuss these losses and feelings?

The first person who helped me was a priest who said this after the death of my son taken by cancer, "Donna, you will never have to hurt this bad again." Since then, I have had a psychiatrist, I now have a psychologist and I am in a therapy group. I forget that I need to start any conversation that I mention these losses with this information. I rarely can safely be my true self because most all react and more times than not with the same, "Have you seen a therapist?" I do everything, everything, everything. I would be dead by now if I didn't believe that I would some day be on the other side and that I would make it. I do not intend to die at the hand of another. Husband #2 who also died of cancer 1 year after the first son to die said to me, "Donna this is my cancer." when he knew I was always distressed. I have a friend I watched before me bury 2 sons, before beginning my journey I have witnessed others close to me go through similar. It is true that I could barely breathe, I didn't sleep well for a long time and still don't sleep long periods at once, my friend didn't converse rationally. My nephew was only 16 when his cousin died and then his uncle and it influenced him for the rest of his life unbeknownst to his parents or anyone else. He is now finishing his residency in oncology. I thank for your concern. I am mindful before I mention my history. I notice when there are those people wanting to stay away. I had a lot of close people thankfully who have not bolted and I could call on maybe 3 of them for anything at all. I do still have 1 child and 3 grandchildren whom I love dearly. I knew I had one more marriage in me / I spent 17 years in the first one and 20 years with the 2nd husband so after #2 died, 5 years later I remarried. Aloneness is not my style and my current husband knew what he was getting into. When people have no baggage it just means they haven't been anywhere. Someone gave me that little gem. I have it ready to go in my arsenal of remarks. I have a lot of baggage that is true but it comes with a lot of love to give. I am not dead yet.